The perfect work suit is hard to come by, so once you鈥檝e found it, you feel like a million bucks. That is, until you get bored with the regular jacket, trouser, and blouse combo.
Luckily, there鈥檚 a whole bunch of new ways to style that same old suit to perfection, especially as spring inches closer each day. With a little inspiration from some oh-so-trendy style bloggers, we鈥檝e come up with five ways for you to get creative, mix things up, and get some serious mileage out of that three-piece suit.
The Suit
Start with a classic suit in a versatile color, like the practical suit separates from Banana Republic, The Loft, and The Limited. The suit I chose is a lightweight cotton three-piece from The Limited鈥攖he cropped blazer, straight-leg trousers, and pencil skirt total about $250.
Get the Look: jacket 路 skirt
Inspired by Atlantic-Pacific
Look 1: Add Girly Embellishments聽
The easiest way to spruce up your suit? Add a scarf, chunky jewelry, or an embellishment. Channel Paris-in-the-springtime style with a flower brooch, then add a striped sweater or anything black and white (such a big color combination this season!).
Not the brooch type? Just throw on a gorgeous linen or cotton scarf. Then balance this feminine look with tougher items, like patent leather shoes or a metallic handbag.
Get the Look: sweater 路 bracelet聽路 brooch聽路 slipper flats
Inspired by Cupcakes and Cashmere
Look 2: Play with Color
Some days, it just makes sense to lose the matching jacket. Instead of your usual black-on-black, throw on a cardigan or blazer in a festive color or pattern.
Pastel is huge for spring, so play around with different shades of mint, pink, and lavender鈥攐r wear them all together! To keep the rest of your look cohesive, opt for a neutral pair of pumps and minimalist jewelry that don鈥檛 compete with your gorgeous cover-up.
Get the Look: jacket 路 blouse 路 pumps 路 studs
Inspired by Sincerely, Jules
Look 3: Layer Different Textures
Men have long mastered mixing patterns in the workplace (think dotted tie with a striped shirt). Which means鈥攚e can do it even better!
Start with one piece of the suit, then layer it with different patterns and textures from heel to toe. Don鈥檛 be afraid of some sparkle and sequins, or try polka dots, bows, lace, floral, and frills, which were all big do鈥檚 on the runways for spring. I love a chambray shirt as an alternate for a traditional blouse, too. Just remember to keep the patterns and textures in the same color palette (and add pearls!) for an effortless, glamorous look.
聽
Get the Look: shirt 路 skirt 路 necklace 路 pumps
Inspired by This Time Tomorrow
Look 4: Work the Skirt聽
When the weather gets a little warmer, ditch the trousers and don the pencil skirt instead! And as long as the hemline is no shorter than knee-length, you might as well let those legs breathe a little!
Work your skirt with some stylish heels: I love adding a pop of color to my feet (especially after getting that much-needed post-winter pedicure) and tying the color somewhere else into my outfit, like a cute tangerine cuff or cocktail ring. Keep everything else neutral with a touch of sass (like a faux animal skin bag), and you鈥檝e got yourself a perfectly classy look.
Get the Look:聽blouse 路 cuff 路 heels
Inspired by Eat. Sleep. Wear.
Look 5: Get Nerdy
I love the idea of adding a bit of nerd-chic into my work attire. Tweed, glasses (even fake ones), and oxfords all make a pair of trousers and a crisp white blouse look updated and fresh (plus, you鈥檒l feel a little smarter, too!).
To keep things chic, add ladylike touches with a structured glam bag, red lips, and heels. Your trousers have never looked so adorably studious.
Get the Look:聽blouse 路 blazer 路 oxfords
For more, check out: Fashion Week @ The Daily Muse
